ukase

[ yoo-keys, -keyz, yoo-keys, -keyz ]

noun

1. (in czarist Russia) an edict or order of the czar having the force of law.
2. any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority.

   Synonyms: fiat, decree, ruling, directive, edict

ukase

/ juːˈkeɪz /

noun

1. (in imperial Russia) an edict of the tsar
2. a rare word for edict

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

1720–30; < French < Russian ukáz, Old Russian ukazŭ, noun derivative of ukazati to show, indicate, assign, command, equivalent to u- prefix + kazati to show, order

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

C18: from Russian ukaz, from ukazat to command

Example Sentences

But the presidential ukase became the ultimate land of the law.

From The Daily Beast

The emperor Nicholas of Russia declared, by ukase, his purpose to assist Austria.

From Project Gutenberg

An imperial ukase ordered that all the serfs in certain of the Russian states, between the ages of 30 and 35, should be enrolled.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came a ukase, ordering the immediate return home of all Russian girls abroad.

From Project Gutenberg

The political ukase forbidding purchases from them must be withdrawn, and the markets must be thrown open to them again.

From Project Gutenberg

An imperial ukase of February 15, 1899, reorganized the Diet according to a plan drawn up by Pobidonostzeff.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• act
• announcement
• directive
• edict
• injunction
• instruction
• judgment
• law
• order
• proclamation
• regulation
• rule
• ruling
• statute